Objective:

To investigate the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of partially cystic thyroid nodule (PCTN).

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed on 252 patients with PCTN detected by ultrasound and pathological results obtained by fine-needle puncture or surgical operation from January 2018 to August 2022. Al

l patients were single nodules. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination before surgery. With pathological results as the gold standard

receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to compare the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound

conventional ultrasound and conventional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Results:

Of the 252 nodules

189 were benign and 63 were malignant. The sensitivity

specificity

accuracy

positive predictive value and negative predictive value of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of PCTN were 82.0%

88.9%

84.1%

95.7%

62.2% and 89.9%

85.7%

88.9%

94.9%

73.9%

respectively. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.854 and 0.878

respectively. After combined diagnosis

the sensitivity

specificity

accuracy

positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 95.8%

84.1%

92.9%

94.8% and 86.9%

respectively

and the AUC was 0.899

which significantly higher than the single diagnostic method (

P

＜0.05).

Conclusion:

Conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound have high diagnostic efficacy for PCTN

and the combined application of the two can improve the diagnostic sensitivity

accuracy and negative predictive value

which is helpful to guide the treatment and management of PCTN.